Culture and Gram Stain, Aerobic, BAL Quantitative

Test Code

CXREQ

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB2266

Includes

Gram stain and Quantitative Aerobic culture for bacterial respiratory pathogens

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Respiratory

Sources: Bronchoalveolar lavage, trachea, endotracheal tube, etc

Collection Container: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 2mL

Instructions

Follow unit specific collection practices

Specimen Stability

Only accepted from Inova hospital patients. Must be received within 24hrs of collection

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Rejection will occur for the following reasons: improperly labeled specimen, insufficient volume, specimen not submitted in appropriate transport container, samples submitted in formalin, frozen samples submitted.

Methodology
Quantitative bacterial culture, organism identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing as appropriate for specimen source

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Negative or normal flora report is final at 2-3 days. Positive report depends on the extent of organism workup

Limitations

This culture method is not acceptable for detection of Legionella species, Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Contact the laboratory if detection of these pathogens is required. If a more comprehensive culture is required for a Cystic Fibrosis patient, it must be ordered as Culture, Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory.

Reference Range

Negative for Pathogens or Growth of Normal Respiratory Flora

Clinical Significance

Diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection may be complicated by the contamination of specimens with upper respiratory tract flora during collection. Upper respiratory flora may include colonizing organisms that are not responsible for infection. The presence of low quantity potentially pathogenic organisms mixed with normal flora should be integrated into the clinical picture for interpretation of significance

Performing Laboratory

Inova Laboratories

2832 Juniper Street

Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: May 15, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, May 15, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.